2015 News

WeatherTech Racing Starts from Second Row in GTD Class at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.- Due to bad weather conditions and standing water at Watkins Glen International, this afternoon's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship qualifying was cancelled. As a result, WeatherTech Racing drivers Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.), Leh Keen (Charleston, S.C.) and Andrew Davis (Atlanta) will start from the second row in the GTD class for Saturday's Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International.

Despite today's weather, the No. 22 WeatherTech Racing Porsche has been fast this weekend. During yesterday's practice sessions, it was P3 and P1, respectively. Even though the driver's would have liked the opportunity to put the No. 22 on the pole, they knew it was the right call to cancel today's GTD qualifying.

"I think it was a good decision by Beaux [Barfield - IMSA race director] to cancel qualifying for today," MacNeil said. "It's been pouring all day. In the past hour, the rain and wind has picked up. Judging by watching the Continental Tire race, there's a bunch of standing water in a lot of the apexes - that would add a lot of unnecessary excitement for a qualifying session with expensive race cars.

"We'll start third tomorrow, second row. We're the top Porsche. So, it's a good start for the Six Hours of The Glen."

Keen and the team have had success here at Watkins Glen in the past. And, he thinks the team will be ready regardless of tomorrow's weather conditions.

"It's going to be a long race," Keen said. "We're going to have a lot of different things thrown at us and the weather will be another one. We kind of saw its worst today. I don't think it will be as bad tomorrow. But, maybe what I think we'll have tomorrow is more on and off [rain]. Situations like that is where the Alex Job crew really excels because they're always on top of things like that. Greg Fordahl is on the box and is always making the right calls. I think we really have an advantage over the other teams in that way.

"The weekend has gone pretty good so far. We're really fast in the dry. The Porsches are always good in the wet. Tomorrow, the drivers will have to adapt and try to be careful just to make it to the end of the race."

Davis rejoins the team for the six hour race and thinks the No. 22 Alex Job racing-prepared Porsche will perform even if it does rain tomorrow.

"Third is a great starting position," Davis said. "It's a long race. So, qualifying means a little bit less. But, at least it gets you out of the fracas on the first couple of laps. The only shame of it is that we have a really fast car. Leh was on it. Had it been dry, I think we would have had a shot at the pole. But, because the guys had done a great job all year with the WeatherTech Porsche, we'll start third. So, that's good."

"Leh, Cooper and Andrew had the fastest car in the dry conditions on Friday," Alex Job, team owner, said. "We sloshed around in practice today and tomorrow is looking like a mix of rain and sun, so it should be interesting. We have six hours of racing, so we will focus on running a clean race and keeping the car on the track."

The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen will be broadcast live from 10 a.m. (ET) to 2 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. Race fans will then need to switch over to continuing live coverage on Fox Sports 2 at 2 p.m. through the end of the race.

For more information on WeatherTech Racing, including race recaps, photos and team gear, please visit the official team site at www.WeatherTechRacing.com